Assisted Dying Bill must be allowed to progress, House of Lords agrees

The motion, tabled by Lord Falconer of Thoroton, was supported by Peers from across the House and reflects growing concern that a handful of opponents are seeking to slow the Bill’s progress to a halt through excessive and unreasonable use of parliamentary procedure.

The debate highlighted widespread frustration at the scale and intent of amendments tabled at Committee Stage. More than 1,100 amendments have been laid – the highest number at this stage in recent parliamentary history – with around two-thirds tabled by a group of just seven unelected Peers, despite them representing less than one per cent of the House. 

Amendments proposed by opponents to the Bill included a requirement for anyone requesting an assisted death to provide a negative pregnancy test – irrespective of their age or sex. Another amendment has proposed that every assisted death be filmed, in a gross invasion of the privacy of dying people and their loved ones.

Ahead of the debate, senior Peers from across the House, including former senior judge Baroness Butler-Sloss who is opposed to the principle of assisted dying, urged colleagues to support the motion, warning that continued delay risked preventing the House from reaching a decision on the substance of the Bill.

Several opposed Peers spoke in favour of the motion, including Baroness Butler-Sloss and Lord Carlile.

Baroness Butler-Sloss, said:

“… the motion is extremely important and I strongly support the noble and learned Lord Falconer… I don’t like this Bill, but we have it and we have to deal with it… We have the public watching us. We absolutely have to get this bill through.”

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:

“Today’s decision shows that the House of Lords believes this historic, popular Bill must be allowed to progress. Peers from across the House have recognised that scrutiny should be robust and appropriate, and not abused as a tool for indefinite delay.

“Peers across the House, including many who do not support assisted dying, have recognised that this kind of procedural obstruction risks damaging the reputation of the Lords itself. Scrutiny matters, but it must be proportionate, responsible and conducted in good faith.

“This is one of the most important legal reforms in living memory. It is supported by the public, backed by MPs, and now endorsed by Peers who are determined to ensure scrutiny is thorough yet measured. The Bill has already been examined in extraordinary detail – 150 hours and counting – and its safeguards have been tested thoroughly.

“Terminally ill people and their families are watching closely; they do not have time to waste. They are simply asking for compassion and protection at the end of life, and today’s debate brings us closer to that goal than ever before.”

The Bill would give terminally ill, mentally competent adults in England and Wales the choice of an assisted death under strict safeguards, and is backed by more than 70% of the public (YouGov, 19 June 2025), was brought forward by Kim Leadbeater MP and is now being steered through the House of Lords by Lord Falconer of Thoroton. 

The Bill has already progressed further than any previous attempt to change the law on assisted dying. In June 2025, it passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons after more than 100 hours of detailed scrutiny by MPs and Government ministers.

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For further requests please contact, Tom Steen, Media & Campaigns Officer, tom.steen@dignityindying.org.uk or 07356135578.